From the National Safety Council, the following are their top tips for keeping kids safe while on the playground:
Top Checklist for Playground Safety
- Surfaces around playground equipment should be filled with loose-fill, wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel.
- Look for exposed concrete footings, tree roots, or rocks that could trip children.
- Check for sharp edges and dangerous hardware, like open hooks or protruding bolts.
- Make sure children play on age-appropriate equipment and supervise them while playing.
- Playgrounds should be maintained regularly. Report any problems.
- Preparing for the Playground includes:
- Remove hoods or drawstrings that can get caught on equipment.
- Make sure children are not overexposed to the sun while playing. New playgrounds should provide shaded areas or sun coverings.
- Use sunscreen on children if playing outside for prolonged periods of time.
You can see a full copy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards for playground equipment here.